Out of the total 33 crest gates, installation of 21 gates has been successfully completed so far. The remaining gates are currently being installed at a brisk pace, with authorities targeting full completion by April, well before the onset of fresh inflows into the reservoir.
Of the 21 installed gates, experimental testing has already been conducted on several units, including gates numbered 04, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, and 31. Officials confirmed that these tests have been successful, marking a crucial milestone in ensuring the operational safety and reliability of the new system.
Authorities have indicated that once installation of all gates is complete, painting and final finishing work will be taken up as per tender conditions, followed by full-scale operational readiness.
The project has seen coordinated efforts from nearly 60 workers, divided into eight specialized teams handling installation and alignment. Their continuous work has ensured steady progress despite the scale and technical complexity of the task.
Currently, installation is ongoing for gates numbered 06, 07, 08, 09, 12, 21, and 22, with completion expected in the coming weeks.
The manufacturing of 30 new gates has already been completed, while the remaining three are in their final stages, with only testing work pending. Additionally, 29 of the old gates have already been dismantled, and the removal of the remaining four is expected to be completed shortly.
According to O.R.K. Reddy, the work is progressing rapidly:
“The manufacturing and installation of the gates are moving at a fast pace. With 21 gates already installed, the remaining work will be completed within the scheduled timeline by April.”
However, concerns remain among the farming community. Ganta Somashekhara expressed dissatisfaction over earlier delays:
“The second crop suffered due to the time lost after the reservoir incident. The board must ensure all gates are installed before water inflow begins.”
With the reservoir playing a pivotal role in irrigation across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, timely completion of the project remains critical. Farmers have urged authorities to avoid further delays and ensure full readiness before the monsoon season.
As installation nears completion and testing continues successfully, the project is now entering its most crucial final phase.